2019 Wimbledon Championships – Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
Where is Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova taking place? All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London
When is Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova on and what time does it start? Thursday 11th July, 2019 – (not before) TBC (UK)
What is the expected weather for Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova? Cloudy with a chance of showers and a temperature around 23c
What channel is Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova on? Matches will air on BBC1, BBC2 and BBC Red Button throughout the tournament
Where can I stream Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova? BBC iPlayer / BBC Sport website / BBC Sport app
Where can I get tickets for Serena Williams vs Barbora Strycova?
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THE LOWDOWN
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Serena Williams 3-0 Barbora Strycova
Last meeting: Serena Williams beat Barbora Strycova 7-5, 6-4
SERENA WILLIAMS
- Serena Williams fought off a tough challenge from fellow American Alison Riske to win her quarter-final in three sets, making 19 aces in the process.
- The seven-time champion has only lost one semi-final at Wimbledon from a total of 11, way back in 2000, and has not lost at this stage of a Grand Slam since the 2016 US Open.
- Williams will face surprise package Barbora Strycova in the semi-finals for a fourth time in her career, winning all three previous encounters over the Czech including at Wimbledon in 2012.
BARBORA STRYCOVA
- 33-year-old Barbora Strycova played the match of her life to upset the home crowd at Wimbledon in her quarter-final with British number one Johanna Konta.
- Strycova was the last Czech expected to make the semi-finals from a round of 16 that featured Karolina Pliskova, Petra Kvitova and Karolina Muchova but she has quietly made her way through to the first semi-finals at a Grand Slam in a 16-year professional career.
- Strycova will play fellow veteran Serena Williams in the semi-final on Thursday with both women playing a doubles match after their singles wins on Tuesday: Williams with Andy Murray in the mixed doubles and Strycova with Hsieh Su-wei.
THE PREDICTION
Barbora Strycova is the surprise member of the last four in the women’s draw as an unseeded 33-year-old contemplating retirement upon entering this tournament, but she upset Johanna Konta’s rhythm throughout their match and was by far the better player. She will face Serena Williams, who conquered her own unseeded challenger Alison Riske in three sets, having never beaten the seven-time champion in three attempts. All three of their previous meetings came at Grand Slams, twice in 2012 at the Australian Open and Wimbledon and once again in Australia in 2017, with Strycova never managing to take a set. This could change on Thursday, as she rides the emotions of her most successful tournament, but Serena Williams will book her place in the final in the decider. The Czech has made it through largely unnoticed until now but, like Riske, she will likely struggle with nerves against the seven-time champion.
